Location : In the
central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh
Major Tourist Attractions : Gwalior Fort, Man Mandir,
Teli-ka-Mandir, The Sas-Bahu temples, The Chhatris, Tomb of Mohammad Ghaus,
Jai Vilas Palace, Surya Mandir (the replica of the Puri Sun Temple).
Festival : Tansen Music Festival (December)
Nearby Tourist Attractions : Chanderi, Orchha, Shivpuri,
Jhansi, Agra, Fatehpur Sikri
When to Visit : October to March
About Gwalior
The historic city Gwalior is situated in the central Indian state of Madhya
Pradesh on the main New Delhi-Mumbai and New Delhi-Chennai rail route. About
321 km from the national capital New Delhi, Gwalior is an important city of
Madhya Pradesh in India. Gwalior is an old city, known for its old and
massive forts. The legend says, Gwalior derives its name from a great sage
Gwalipa who cured a chief of the Kachwaha clan suffering from leprosy.
Today, Gwalior is one of the most developed cities of India with factories
producing cotton, yarn, paint, ceramics, chemicals, and leather products.
The city is also famous for many esteemed educational institutions.
Tourist Attractions in Gwalior
Gwalior Fort
Built in the 15th century by Raja Mansingh Tomar on a hilltop, the mighty
Gwalior Fort overlooks the city. The outer wall of the fort stands two miles
in length and 35 m in height.
Man Mandir
Man Mandir is the major attraction of the fort. The palace built by Man
Singh Tomar is a delicate structure exhibiting a sense of joy and abandon
through use of colour, motif, and design. There are chambers for affairs of
state as well as those for relaxation, adorned appropriately and ornately
with carved animals, flowers, and the human form.
Gujari Mahal
If Man Mandir reflects Man Singh's aesthetic sensibilities, Gujari Mahal
speaks of his love. The courage and beauty of Mrignayani and her love with
Raja Mansingh are now a part of popular folk tradition. The palace has been
now converted in a museum and houses very good collection of Jain and Hindu
artifacts.
Teli-ka-Mandir
Contrasting with the predominant north Indian style of architecture is the
Teli-ka-Mandir. This temple is believed to the oldest in the Fort, built in
the ninth century and Dravidian in form. The sculptures are distinctly north
Indian. Some believed it was so named because it was built in the Telangana
style; others say this was because it was built by telis (oil merchants). A
more recent study ascribes it to Telap Raj, a prime minister of the region.
The Sas-Bahu temples
The Sas-Bahu temples, in another part of the Fort, are not, as people
believe, dedicated to a mother-in-law (Sas) and daughter-in-law (Bahu).
Sas-Bahu is the name traditionally given to two adjoining temples of
different sizes. The larger of the two is profusely sculpted with graceful
figures and intricate patterns. This is more apparent in the interior where,
above the sculpted walls and pillars, an elaborately carved lotus adorns the
roof.
The chhatris
The
chhatris, memorials to former Scindia rulers, are executed in the typical
Bundelkhandi style with conical spires and heavily carved exteriors.
Getting There
Air : Gwalior is connected by Indian Airlines to Bombay, Bhopal,
Indore, and Delhi.
Rail : Gwalior is on the main Delhi-Bombay and Delhi-Madras rail
link. Among major trains, the Taj and Shatabdi Express connect Gwalior with
Delhi and Agra. Gwalior is well linked with Agra (118 km), Mathura, Jaipur
(350 km), Delhi (321 km), Lucknow, Bhopal (423 km), Chanderi (239 km),
Indore (486 km), Jhansi (101 km), Khajuraho (275 km), Ujjain (455 km), and
Shivpuri (114 km).
Road : The most common and cheapest way of moving around the city is
the six-seater auto-rickshaws. Taxis are also available so are mini buses
Accommodation
We offer excellent accommodation facilities in and around Gwalior. Gwalior,
being a major tourist site and a vibrant modern Indian city, has a good
variety of accommodation to chose from. The city has numerous hotels in
ranging from luxury to budget, to fit into everyone's pocket. There are
heritage and luxury and deluxe category hotels, for the tourists who are in
search of luxury and mid-range and economy hotels that provide good services
and peaceful environment for the budget tourists.
